billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

OK, I am only wading into the shallow end with Sony but I do like the look and feel of there new 600 f4. I am coming off a really good show and have the funds.
BUT, recently I read a review by Ken Rockwell, who was mostly positive except for this.
" Optical Image Stabilizer works poorly, not giving 100% sharp shots 100% of the time even at 1/500; I have to shoot at 1/1,000 for 100% certainty of 100% tripod-equivalent sharpness. I can shoot Canon's 100-400 L IS II at 400mm and Canon's 400mm f/4 DO IS II both at 1/30 to 1/15 with the same or better results as this lens gives at 1/500. The Stabilizer makes very little improvement over shooting without the stabilizer; I should be able to shoot at 1/60 and get consistently superb results with this lens hand-held, but I can't."

So, I contacted Sony about this issue and basically got the run around and they basically did not answer my question about Ken's statement. They kept redirecting me to different Sony sites.
When I shoot wildlife I normally shoot above 1/500 sec. BUT, there are times in the early morning that I need to shoot under 1/500 sec.
Does anyone have experience with this lens and this issue. Or can anyone tell me who I might contact that can answer Kens statement.
So far after 12 emails to Sony I am really not impressed.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I would never use ANYTHING written on KR's website to make a purchase decision. If something he writes is accurate, it is an accident.

This may offer some insight as to his comments about shutter speed and OS, and why the chances of getting a sharp image as the shutter speed increases diminishes.

https://photographylife.com/proof-that-vibration-reduction-should-first-be-stabilized

https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-articles/lens-technique/all-about-nikon-vr.html

It's common knowledge. For KR, it's all about getting clicks on his website. He comes right out and says so on every page and in his "about KR" page. Hard to trust that kind of stuff.

Electric Gnome Loc: Norwich UK

From what reviews I have watched the 600mm f4 is optimized for the Sony A9 and combined with any Sony bodies with inbuilt body stabilisation is as good as can reasonably be expected. Jarod got a tack sharp shot with it at 200sec @f4 in his review here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl5FDG0jQfI

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Send a pm to Mark Smith - he shoots Nikon and the latest Sony for wildlife and does superb YouTube videos.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Yes, he appears to have little difficulty capturing the moment. Even at a slower shutter speed. GAS attack.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I'm loving mind and not seeing that issue, but I rarely shoot at those slow speeds. If I were researching this lens for those applications, I would reach out to Christopher Dodds, Chrisdoddsphoto.com, and then Artie Morris, Birds as Art. Mark Smith is another good suggestion. Dodds is a Sony representative and was one of the first to recieve a 600 in Canada so probably has had one longer than many. Artie Morris and Mark Smith are relatively new to Sony by comparison. They are all excellent wildlife photographers and are now basically using Sony gear 100% of the time. I don't know anything about Ken Rockwell. Except for Mark, who seems like a wonderful guy, I know both Chris and Artie personally. They will be more than willing to talk give you there opinions. Just pick up the phone and ring them. For me, considering the Sony AF system runs circles around my 1DX and 5DIV Canons in combination with my Canon 600 II, I absolutely love this lens. So will you.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Thank you.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

YAW. Call them today. There is still quite a lead time on this lens so the quicker you make a commitment to your supplier, the sooner you will get it. If you talk to Artie, he will expect you to use his links to B&H or Bedford to make the order. No skin off your back, and there are some benefits he is providing (educational stuff on Sony) for free if you make this purchase using his links. The lens is of coarse a bunch of bucks, bit comparable to the Canon or Nikon versions. I have not used Nikon, but this lens is better than the Canon 600II. Good luck!

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I would rent before you buy. Test it out for yourself. OS is good but the old rule of thumb of not using a shutter speed slower than the focal length of the lens when hand held still is valid.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I would trust what Ken Rockwell says. He's not going to BS people about camera equipment performance. If he were getting paid by Sony or Canon or any of the other camera makers, then he wouldn't say anything bad about the equipment. The fact that he's saying that Sony's stabilization isn't that good or even nearly as good as Canon's IS, proves to me that he's not getting paid by Sony and that he's being truthful. I shoot Canon equipment and they DO have great IS on all the lenses they have made over the past 10 years or so. But even in low light shooting wildlife at slower shutter speeds, I only get a low percentage of keepers because #1 the animal is moving so you're going to get motion blur, #2 the light isn't great #3 sometimes my technique for holding it steady isn't what it should be.

So truth be told, you won't get many keepers at 1/200th of a second shooting hand held in low light of an animal no matter what lens you are using, especially at 600mm..... Even on a tripod you are not likely to get a lot of keepers at those settings in low light.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

FYI, Samy's in LA rents the Sony 600 for $275 per day.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I have always found B&H to be a terrific source of product knowledge. They will help you decide among several lenses without pressuring you to buy from them. My first step would be to give them a call, but not on Saturday.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Granted, Chris Dodds, being a Sony rep, might be considered biased, however he is a very honest person. He has used all the brands over the years and will be able to provide an honest answer. Morris has also used all the brands over the years, does not represent Sony, however he is rewarded by B&H if someone use his links. Still reaching out to some professionals who shoot with the equipment regularly should give you some pretty good insight. Is Ken Rockwell a professional wildlife photographer? Talk to the folks who use the equipment for a living.

jno

Look at birdsasatr.com for SONY info and pics.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I don't have the FE 600 but I do have the FE 200-600 and its stabilization works very well. I normally shoot wildlife at 1/125-1/250 sec. and birds at 1/250-1/500 sec. with good success. On non-moving targets, i.e.: landscape shots, I can easily shoot handheld at 1/30-1/60 sec.

And I doubt anyone can get "100% sharp shots 100% of the time" regardless of who they are!?

bwa